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Susquehanna Township SD discusses PennWest dual‑enrollment partnership at reduced per‑credit rate
Summary
School officials presented a proposed dual‑enrollment partnership with Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) offering courses at about $75 per credit and discussed eligibility, online options and possible foundation scholarships.
Susquehanna Township School District officials outlined a proposed dual‑enrollment agreement with Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) that would offer credit courses to eligible high school students at roughly $75 per credit, a district presenter said Monday during the board meeting.
District staff told the board the PennWest option would be significantly cheaper than some existing partners and could expand access to college credit for juniors and seniors and, in limited cases, qualified sophomores.
The presenter said PennWest offers asynchronous online classes plus some on‑campus options at its western Pennsylvania campuses. Officials compared the cost to the district’s other partnerships — citing roughly $125 per credit at HACC and about $200 per credit at Harrisburg University — and said the lower rate would produce savings for families and the district. The presenter also said PennWest lists more than 50 in‑person and online course options.
Board members asked about course weighting, transferability and timing. Board member Mr. Archer said college courses already receive different weight than non‑honors high school classes and confirmed that would apply to PennWest credits. The presenter said PennWest requires students to be juniors or seniors to enroll, with sophomores eligible under certain admissions conditions and typically a 3.0 GPA requirement for those exceptions.
District staff said summer sessions at PennWest run in six‑week blocks and that previously started sessions may limit immediate summer enrollment; they said the second summer session typically begins in June. The district also said it will continue discussions about a possible summer bridge or cohort model to introduce students to campus settings.
Superintendent and staff members said they plan to pursue foundation scholarships to cover dual‑enrollment fees for students who cannot afford them, and that they will continue conversations with the district foundation about funding pathways.
The proposed partnership was presented for discussion and is scheduled to appear on a future agenda for formal approval. No board vote on the PennWest agreement was recorded in the meeting record presented Monday.
If approved, staff said they would notify families and publish enrollment steps and deadlines once the agreement and operational details are finalized.
